Painter died last year, but he started a tradition Sterling residents, like Maria Tornud, look forward to every year.

Tornud visited the street for the third time, this year. Her son, Emil, 1, touched the red, yellow and green lights wrapped around a tall, thick tree.

"He loves it," she said. "It has become our family’s tradition to see the lights every year."

IT TAKES Tomlinson about a week to decorate his house, and he adds new decorations to his display every year.

"I do it for the children," he said. "It’s great to see the smiles on their faces. They get so excited. It makes it all worthwhile."

Maria Alvarez agreed.

Now that her children are grown up, Tito Alvarez Jr. said he will never forget growing up on East Juniper Street. The 26-year-old former Potomac Falls High School student said this time of year means a lot of traffic for the otherwise quiet street.

"But I wouldn’t have it any other way," he said. "I still look forward to this."